Trained immunity in viral infections, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis: A convergence in type I interferon signalling and IFNβ-1a

Abstract

Type I interferon (IFN-I) signalling represents a major target for modulation in a virus' bid for latency. IFN-I perturbations are also present in such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS), where viral infections are known to increase symptomatic burden. IFN-I modulation such as via IFNβ-1a, an established MS treatment, has been researched to a limited extent to both AD and COVID-19. In this mini review, we present emerging research on trained immunity as a pathogenetic basis for Alzheimer's disease and the emerging context for IFNβ-1a repositioning, via mechanisms shared with multiple sclerosis and induced by viral infections.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; COVID-19; Drug repositioning; Innate immunity; Interferons.